A rich history of evolving aquatic area conservation that spotlights what can be achieved when science, cultural values, political will, and Indigenous stewardship practices are aligned.

Conserving marine areas for reasons other than fishery purposes is a relatively recent addition to post-contact Canadian culture. Parks Canada has conserved federal lands and their enclosed freshwaters since the 1880s and yet did not establish a national marine park until 1987. Meanwhile, Indigenous cultures have likely practiced coastal conservation for millennia.

To envision a sustainable and equitable conservation future, N. A. Sloan looks to the Pacific north coast—particularly, the Haida Gwaii archipelago—for examples of progressive marine planning and co-management with Indigenous peoples. Sloan also explores the worldwide struggle to balance area preservation (strongly limited uses) with area conservation (sustainable uses that may include resource extraction).

Blue Canada is a comprehensive account of aquatic area conservation that illuminates what can be done by working together toward a bluer Canada.